Indiana State University Newsroom

Sabaini named interim executive director for student media

July 25, 2012

Indiana State University is moving forward in its plans to integrate its student media. As part of that move, David Sabaini, WISU station manager and communication instructor, has been named interim executive director for student media.

The university is conducting a national search to fill the position.

"Dave has always provided great service to our students, community and the university," said Provost Jack Maynard. "He is dedicated to better integrating student media services and will ensure that this new model will be successful."

Sabaini joined Indiana State in 1983 after working as a radio director and assistant professor of communication at Radford University in Virginia. He also worked as a radio manager and instructor of communication at Millikin University in Illinois. He earned bachelor and master's degrees in communication from Illinois State University.

"I'm extremely honored to be offered this interim position," Sabaini said. "The university is not only willing, but eager to go ahead with the changes."

Carmen Tillery, vice president for student affairs, is heading the committee searching for the permanent executive director of student media. Consultants from the Poynter Institute have been working with the university for several months to assess ISU student media - including Sycamore Video, Sycmedia, WISU radio and the Indiana Statesman newspaper online and print editions - and to recommend how to best align those operations to prepare students for media careers, Tillery said.

"Our search is well underway, and we hope to be able to name a permanent executive director no later than Sept. 30," Tillery said. "Our candidates possess a range of experience in a variety of media venues, so we look forward to finding that visionary leader who can help move ISU student media forward to become an example other universities will want to emulate."

Sabaini said he plans to focus on moving student media toward integration through a common website filled with student-created material.

"To dovetail academics with co-curricular activities is a very positive thing to do," Sabaini said. "It's an honor and a privilege to help lead these changes."